English non-league club Staines Town suspends operation amid claims of modern slavery, sanctions breaches
Tue, Mar 29, 2022
Soccer News (AP)
Staines Town FC confirmed on Tuesday that they have suspended all soccer-related activity after several serious allegations were aimed at owners Downing LLP.
The Isthmian League Southern Central club will cease operations, at least for now, after accusations including modern slavery, corruption, and the breaching of British sanctions against Russia.
"Staines Town Football Club (STFC) regret to announces that pursuant to third party breaches of Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and other information that has come to light, we are forced to temporarily suspend all primary operations including but not limited to competitive fixtures until a thorough investigation into the practices of Downing LLP has been conducted by the relevant authorities," the club said in a statement.
Urgent Club Statement @DowningLLP??
- Staines Town FC (@StainesTownFC) March 29, 2022
Club to temporarily suspend all operationshttps://t.co/oSIfdhulER
Staines Town detailed the allegations made against Downing LLP on Tuesday and stated that their parent company "have no regard whatsoever for a community soccer club or for the greater good of soccer."
Part of the club's official statement also claims that Downing LLP has aided the bribery and corruption of FIFA officials via certain business investments.
Here is the statement in full@SSMLFixtures pic.twitter.com/kZp61o6DSm
- FA Cup Factfile (@FACupFactfile) March 29, 2022
Per Staines Town's communique, operations including competitive fixtures have been suspended pending an investigation of Downing LLP.
The statement which also alleges "environmental crimes, price fixing, deforestation, forced evictions, human rights abuses, child labour, slavery, gender discrimination and murder" swiftly crashed the club's website.
